In this study, we have used high resolution gel-filtration chromatography and measurements of Ki to compare the capacity of full-length native stromelysin, C-terminal truncated stromelysin (Phe100-Pro273), and matrilysin (the only metalloproteinase spontaneously lacking a C-terminal hemopexin-like domain) to bind to the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP). While prostromelysin failed to bind TIMP, active stromelysin bound to the inhibitor avidly, exhibiting an affinity for TIMP (Ki = 8.3 x 10(-10) M) essentially identical to that of active interstitial collagenase as determined by competition experiments. C-terminal truncated stromelysin also formed a higher M(r) complex with TIMP which survived gel filtration. However, when truncated stromelysin was forced to compete with its full-length parent molecule for limiting amounts of TIMP, the full-length enzyme preferentially bound to the inhibitor. Indeed, binding studies indicated a Ki of 5.95 x 10(-9) M for the truncated variant's interaction with TIMP, only 14% as tight as that of full-length stromelysin. We also examined the interaction between TIMP and matrilysin, the only metalloproteinase which naturally lacks a C-terminal domain. Promatrilysin failed to bind the inhibitor. However, active matrilysin readily bound TIMP, forming a complex that resisted separation by gel filtration. When active matrilysin was forced to compete with truncated stromelysin for limiting amounts of TIMP, both enzymes appeared to complex the inhibitor with nearly equivalent efficacy. Indeed, active matrilysin exhibited a Ki for TIMP of 4.5 x 10(-9) M, essentially identical to that of truncated stromelysin. These data indicate that, as is true for collagenase, the C-terminal domain of stromelysin contributes significantly to its capacity to bind the physiologic inhibitor, TIMP. Furthermore, since stromelysin readily processes in vitro to a C-terminal truncated form, this enzyme species, as well as the full-length metalloproteinase matrilysin, may resist inhibition by TIMP in areas of active inflammation in vivo.